The cost of doing business in Salem and Keizer may be about to get more expensive as our local transit agency, Cherriots, considers implementing a new payroll tax to expand bus service. What’s worse, voters wouldn’t get a say in the matter.
This isn’t the first time businesses have been asked to foot the bill for proposed service improvements. In 2015, Cherriots asked voters to approve a separate payroll tax that would have raised $5 million per year. Then in 2023, the City of Salem pitched its $28 million-per-year “Safe Salem” payroll tax to fund police, fire, and homeless programs. Both were handily defeated at the ballot box.
Now, in a move that can only be described as tone deaf at best, Cherriots is back seeking $39 million annually. That’s $11 million more than the City’s payroll tax proposal that 82% of voters rejected. But thanks to a state law passed in 2018, this time Cherriots doesn’t need voter approval. The decision instead lies with its seven-member Board of Directors, not one of whom would actually pay this tax themselves…